# NTSB LAX91LA365: Piper PA-38-112, N2526C, Oceano, CA, August 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1991, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Oceano, CA
- Coordinates: 35.039463, -120.619468 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0395&lon=-120.6195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27334
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA365
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27334/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA365

## Probable cause

UNKNOWN.  THE MAIN AIRPLANE WRECKAGE AND THE BODY OF THE PILOT ARE PRESUMED LOST AT SEA.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Missing aircraft, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT'S TAKEOFF WAS NOT OBSERVED FROM THE UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT, AND THE ACFT'S OWNER/PILOT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY SERVICES FROM AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL DURING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.  WHEN THE PILOT'S SON, WHO WAS ON BOARD THE ACFT, FAILED TO RETURN HOME HIS FAMILY BECAME CONCERNED AND A SEARCH COMMENCED.  THREE DAYS LATER HIS BODY WASHED UP ON A PACIFIC OCEAN BEACH, ABOUT NINE MILES SOUTH OF WHERE THE ACFT HAD BEEN BASED AND WAS LAST OBSERVED.  NEAR THE BODY, A WHEEL AND A SEAT CUSHION WERE ALSO FOUND.  THE TIME OF THE ACFT ACCIDENT WAS NOT DETERMINED, NO ADDITIONAL WRECKAGE HAS BEEN LOCATED, AND THE BODY OF THE OWNER/PILOT REMAINS MISSING. TOXICOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE SON'S BODY DID NOT INDICATE THE PRESENCE OF CYANIDE OR CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.  THE FATHER AND SON OCCUPANTS OF THE ACFT BOTH POSSESSED EXPIRED STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATES.  THE ACFT HAD BEEN MAINTAINED ON AN ANNUAL INSPECTION PROGRAM, AND THE ELT'S BATTERY REPLACEMENT DATE WAS CURRENT.  NO ELT SIGNAL WAS RECEIVED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2526C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2526C-1993-04-14), registration cancelled 1993-04-14, S/N 3879A0217 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-79A0217
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Troy Dunn Jr.
- Registered owner: Troy Dunn Jr.
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1991
- Departed: L52, OCEANO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; student; medical: class 3, expired

## Weather

- Conditions: Day

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19910818035699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910818035699A), Aug 18, 1991: Piper PA38112, Oceano, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Became missing. Wreckage in ocean. Passengers body washed up on beach. Marginal weather in area. Stratus and fog.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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